Oracle v. SAP: The Tech Trial of the Century Kicks Off

The Oracle/SAP trial kicked off on Tuesday out in federal court in Oakland, Calif. And if Day One is any indication, this thing could be a barnburner.

The issue: A SAP unit called TomorrowNow improperly downloaded software and documents from Oracle’s website. That much isn’t disputed. What is disputed is how much SAP should pay Oracle over the behavior. Click here for the WSJ story; here for the NYT story.

Oracle has asked for $2 billion. Robert Mittelstaedt, an attorney for Jones Day representing SAP, said the proper amount is closer to $40 million. “They want a bonanza . . .